Si - that link is a 9yr old patriot " Mr Donne’s 9 year old Orange Patriot." and Orange them offered him a 30% discount after 9 years against a new frame.
If that was me i'd be well chuffed.
I'm so tempted by the cumba (vf2). I've got a zesty on demo next weekend and i hear the vf2 is very similar (geometry).
Just a problem getting a demo i suppose as you're miles away from me (I'm in brizzle)
Giggidy
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This month's WMB just came through my door and has a grouptest of 5in bikes.
The Trek Fuel EX wins, but probably isn't niche enough for people here?
Yes I suppose you can find pictures of most models of broken bikes
at least it was just the rear end
http://www.smbf.com.sg/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15376&sid=3b792bc3be2d04baacb56b390805cb3c
just a little weary of the carbon strengths with point impacts like rocks etc..
many thanks again guys 😛
i'm considering a knolly endorphin or giant trance
lobby it has been a while since you bought a new bike right enough, I've been worried about you 😀
cough* Maverick Durance *cough
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😉
i have a hankering for a mid travel bike for ukbikeskills work.
cant make my mind up still
LOL
Is there a mid travel full sus bike strong enough? 😉
motivation for the race season coogan 8)
Bosh!
Jedi: Have a look at the Banshee Rune: I use mind for everything, including Whistler bike park last year and general UK xc duties.
Rocketdog: Have a look at the Banshee Pyre also.
Damn, now I sound like a Banshee fanboy....doh!!
Surely for Jedi the Orange Blood makes most sense? Designed to take a bit of a beating.
Not sure what to suggest to the OP, most of the obvious ones are already up. I will +1 for the Santa Cruz Heckler though. I've got an '06 and its a very underated bike. Strong enough to put up some proper abuse and can be built light enough for all day riding.
Intense 55 if you can get hold of one, or a Tracer. Climbs brilliantly, ploughs through mud like no other, and descends like a dream. Worth the investment and less mainstream than Orange 5s or Santra Cruz Blurs.
hemlock. I've got one with the new stays and its mental, far more capable than the rider.
best with 140mm or 150mm forks
maverickboy- my ukbikeskills stuff is mostly singletrack stuff and some jumps and drops
The truth of the matter is that all the bikes recommended here are high end bits of kit which will all perform well. If you're spending that much money, you have to fall in love with it for the way it looks and/or the engineering excellence. Whether or not it's a long term relationship only time will tell. I used to love the look of my Meta, but got fed up with her bad habit of chucking me off! My Ventana's handling is very noticably better for me, but I'd need a year on it to give a definitive report.
I posted a similar question to yours about 3 months ago & got similar responses. It gave me a focus for researching names I might not have read about in the mags (like Chumba, Ventana & Nicolai). I ended up buying a Ventana el Ciclon partly because a nearly new one came up on STW at the right price. I can highly recommend one. It's beautifully built, looks just how I want a bike to look (ie. straight tubes & classy without being flash), weighs 2.5 lb less than my old Meta & it rides like a dream.
All I can say is that as a 16 stone rider, I've never ridden a stiffer, more responsive bike, but I've not ridden any of the others to compare to.
I really like the look of the new Cove "G Spot" bike due out this year. Its 6 in travel. I may consider swapping my old faithful Spec SX Trail for one. I think it will come with either coil or air shock options. [url] http://www.covebike.com/bikes/gspot.html [/url]
